Menstrual cup

[BunnytheBee]

What are others’ experiences of using these?

I’ve just started using one for the first time - OrganiCup. I was excited to try it and then suddenly v nervous at the thought. Anyway insertion was much easier than I thought but it seems quite low down. The but that sticks down at the bottom is TMI alert at the entrance to my vagina.

Is this normal? Is it not in properly? It was first attempt but I’m about to do some exercise and worried about chafing

Leak not leek FFS

I bought the organicup cleaning stuff - initially didn't but decided it was worth the investment..
Squirt a bit of that in, warm water, clean using fingers and also push it on the open palm and squeeze the cup (carefully!) so the water comes out of the tiny holes around the rim, otherwise they gunk up and bleurgh!
Obviously then wash hands really well!

Hasn’t noticed the little holes in the rim. How often do you do that? Once a cycle or daily?

I hadn’t even realised there was a specific cleaner for it but I just remembered I have some feminine wash that I got in a set. Not something I have bought. That could be a good thing to use as it won’t irritate presumably...

Love my cup! I’ve got a Lunette 2 and a Saalt but prefer the Lunette.

• Do the Put a Cup In It quiz, join the Facebook group, and watch their YouTube videos to learn about fit. One size doesn’t fit all and things like your pelvic floor muscles and cervix height will make a big difference to how cups fit you. People call them Mooncups but that’s just one brand.

• I was fine from period one, no problems, no leaks. Yes there can be some adjustment period but if you’re wearing the right size and shape for you it certainly shouldn’t take 6 months! (Quiz will help)

• Yes to running your finger round the rim once it’s in too make sure it’s opened up. Then a bit of a push upwards can help it get in place. But if it’s leaking or feels too long this can mean it’s the wrong cup for you as much as it could be you’re not fitting it right.

• I boil mine at the end and start of a cycle, and just rinse in the tap when I empty it during the cycle.

I've used a moon cup for one period. I get a very heavy day or two where I use tampons and towels. I found on that heavy day I still needed a "safety" towel. Not a lot, but I did leak very slightly. Will try higher next time, I thought it was meant to sit quite low.

Thanks. I’ve put a request in for the Facebook group.

I’ve been outside mucking our my rabbits and the cup feels like it’s moved lower down and feels a bit uncomfortable.

I do feel like I can’t be bothered to take it out and put it back in again but there’s not really any more to it than a tampon is there 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sounds like we are both newbs to this @User202004 Mine was quite low when I first put it in but higher the second time and that felt better. If it’s comfy for you and not leaking then I would have thought that’s fine.

@BunnytheBee sounds like it might just be the wrong size/shape/firmness for you, rather than anything you’re doing wrong

Sorry clicked post too soon! Try the quiz putacupinit.com/quiz/

And look up how to measure your cervix.

Yes maybe but then I’m thinking it’s day 2 so maybe it’s ok.

I kind of wish I knew about the quiz before I purchased a cup!

I only have the one cup, am I ok to wear it for the whole 5-6 days? I'm a bit nervous about TSS I'd never wear tampons to bed usually. Do you wash it during those days rather than just rinse?

Sorry OP I was on a break from mumsnet when I first tried it a few weeks ago

Dont apologise @User202004 Yes I think fine to use the cup for your 5-6 days. I thought the idea was you buy one cup and then that’s all you need although not sure what the advice is on replacing them.

I also thought it was fine to just rinse between uses during one cycle because I’d read you should rinse out unless you’re in a public toilet or something and then you can use toilet paper but I don’t like that idea so much.

You can sleep in it as you can keep it in up to 12 hours. I think the risk of TSS is much lower than a tampon but not non-existent.

I haven’t had any leakage today so think this is going ok

@BunnytheBee yay for no leakage I decided to try one with working from home at the moment (and with people stock piling sanitary products!) so it seemed a good time to try. I have a sink right next to my toilet at home, not quite sure how it'll work when out in public or work, it's nice to give it a rinse!

@User202004 That’s exactly what I was thinking. It will be fine at work if I can get through the day without taking it out or otherwise I suppose I could go in the disabled toilet at work which has a sink in it... but hopefully I’ll have properly got the hang of it before then!

I absolutely love my cup! I got the Lena cup, I'm currently 38 weeks pregnant so haven't used it in a while and will likely need to go up to the large size when I do use it again

In all seriousness, they are great. It does take some getting used to but I'd say after a couple of periods you'll probably get the hang of it quickly they're so handy and no need to run to the shops in a panic (I always kept mine in my handbag between periods just in case)

I've tried the diva cup (way too long for me and was quite uncomfortable) and then tried the Lena small which is more of a bell shape - these work much better for me. I'm really interested in trying toe Saalt cups too they look great.

I'd say experiment with a couple of brands as its not one size fits all x

Yeah I’ll see how this goes as I’d rather not buy a new one if I don’t have to but then I want it to work for me. It has felt a bit uncomfortable at times but not today so maybe I’ll get the hang of it. I do like the idea of not having to rush to the shops for tampons!

I've got one, trying for the first time today. Feels OK but how have I never read anywhere that you're supposed to boil it between periods?

I also have no fragrance free soap. Does it matter?

I used normal soap tbh but just made sure I rinsed it properly before first use

I’ve read that people boil them but I haven’t. I just washed it thoroughly in hot soapy water at the end of my cycle and put away but might have to do something with it before I use it again 🤷🏻‍♀️

I joined the group that people mentioned up thread and that was helpful.

Thanks @BunnytheBee

Day one was not bad, some successes but I had to get up in the middle of the night to take it out as it was just so irritating with being very dry.

Also, I can't imagine trying to use this in a public toilet. It's like a scene from all creatures great and small.

@ineedsun Your post made me laugh. I don’t know whether you’ve RTFT but I had some leaks the first day and then no more after that. I also felt it was a bit uncomfortable at times. I joined the Facebook group recommended above and there’s a quiz to say what’s the best cup for you but I didn’t know about that at the time and now just trying to make do with what I’ve got and see how it goes.

I felt mine was a bit uncomfortable at times as it was sitting quite low but it was better once I got it to sit higher. Some people use lube so that might help you.

I don’t know if I’d like to use at work either but maybe I’ll have perfected a technique by then or maybe I was thinking hopefully I won’t need to empty it during the day if you can help it in 12 hours.

No leaks and mostly comfy (certainly no worse than a 'full' tampon. Have requested to join the FB group so hopefully they'll accept me.

The person from Mooncup asked me loads of questions and recommended the right size which seems to have worked well.

It's mainly the trying to get it out that I struggle with (feels very awkward trying to retrieve it), and it's irritating / uncomfortable because of the dryness. Maybe lube is the answer (how to buy some discreetly with a house full of teenage boys....)

I find it hard to take out too but it’s early days so hopefully that will get easier.

Can you get lube in your next supermarket shop or order online? 😬